Maslow on Higher Love

Psychology America with Dr. Alexandra

Psychology America with Dr. Alexandra
Maslow on Higher Love
Jul 23, 2026
Dr. Alexandra Miller Clark, Psychologist

Have you ever had a peak experience? Please share about it to help me with my next episode.

Discover how Abraham Maslow's insights into love reveal a profound distinction between deficiency love (D-love) and being love (B-love), and how these concepts can transform our relationships and self-understanding. This episode explores Maslow's research on healthy, exceptional humans and their capacity for higher love. 

  • The life and influence of Abraham Maslow on psychology and personal growth 
  • The hierarchy of needs and the simplified ERG theory by Clay Alderfer
  • The concept of deficiency love (D-love) versus being love (B-love)
  • Early attachment studies by Spitz, Bowlby, and Levy and their importance for human survival
  • How love contributes to self-actualization and the well-being of exceptional individuals
  • Practical applications of B-love in caregiving, relationships, and spiritual practice
  • Maslow’s parallels between B-love, mystics’ love for God, and appreciation of art 
  • The impact of love on self-acceptance, growth, and human potential
  • Personal stories illustrating the practice of love and compassion, including rescue of wildlife 

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: The episode’s focus on Abraham Maslow and higher love 00:25 - Maslow’s study of exceptional human beings and focusing on what’s good 00:54 - The hierarchy of needs and Clay Alderfer's ERG theory 1:24 - How needs can be flipped and the resilience of self-actualized individuals 2:24 - Maslow’s teachings on love and its role in human development 3:22 - Maslow’s method: studying healthy, creative, high-potential individuals 3:51 - Celebrated figures studied by Maslow, including Abraham Lincoln and Albert Schweitzer 4:32 - The concept of reverence for life and compassion in Albert Schweitzer 5:24 - Eleanor Roosevelt and the importance of universal human rights 5:35 - Maslow’s insights on different types of love: D-love and B-love 6:10 - Explanation of deficiency love (D-love) and early attachment needs 7:14 - Early attachment research and the tragic findings of Spitz’s studies 8:13 - The effects of lack of maternal attachment and attachment theory support 9:55 - The role of love in survival and Maslow’s view of deficiency love as a hole 11:23 - The nature of B-love as unselfish and abundant 11:34 - Qualities of B-love: unconditional, non-possessive, and joy-giving 12:01 - The therapeutic and spiritual power of experiencing B-love 12:54 - Personal stories of practicing love in caregiving and work 14:08 - The energy and vitality gained from loving without expectation 15:15 - B-love's spiritual and aesthetic connections 16:21 - Romantic love and the differences from B-love, including anxiety and independence 17:22 - The qualities of B-love in romantic relationships: autonomy, generosity, and depth 18:22 - The “love is blind” myth explained through neurochemistry 19:34 - The concept of intra-object richness—the fascination with loved ones 20:30 - Details and love for the beloved as an expression of deep connection 21:16 - How B-love influences self-perception, acceptance, and growth 22:02 - The distinction that deficiency love (D-love) can be gratified, but B-love offers spiritual fulfillment 22:58 - Personal story about rescuing baby raccoons, illustrating D-love and compassion 24:31 - The story of rescuing raccoons and connecting it to Maslow’s ideas 27:19 - Upcoming episode on peak experiences and plateau states in exceptional humans 28:47 - Practicing higher love and starting wherever we are emotionally 29:13 - Closing remarks and gratitude

Support the show

This show was created with love on my volunteer time.   One small gift you can give me back is to take the time to leave the show a comment and rating on iTunes.  You can also support the production costs of the show by buying me a $3 coffee at buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra.  I will be encouraged by your support, and thank you!  

Episode Artwork Maslow on Higher Love 28:48 Episode Artwork Family Estrangement and Cutoffs 37:02 Episode Artwork Anger in Leadership with Dr. Julian Barling PhD and Dr. Simon Rego, PsyD 49:05 Episode Artwork Short Episode: A Meditation to help with Resentment 6:12 Episode Artwork Navigating Parenting Challenges with Compassion 47:35 Episode Artwork Bravery, Risk and Reward 48:07 Episode Artwork Bring back the Family Meal 15:46 Episode Artwork Agape Love: The Highest Form of Love 48:18 Episode Artwork Affairs 49:51 Episode Artwork Meditation and Reaching "The Silence" with Dr. Sean Sullivan 51:19 Episode Artwork Forgiveness Series 17: What are the Physical and Emotional Risks of not Forgiving? 8:35 Episode Artwork Forgiveness Series 16: Can Forgiveness and Justice Happen Together? 5:23 Episode Artwork Forgiveness Series 15: How Often Should One Forgive? 6:01 Episode Artwork Forgiveness Series 14: How Long Does it Take to Get Emotional Relief after Forgiving, if at all? 7:06 Episode Artwork Forgiveness Series 13: What if Multiple People have Hurt You, how do You Decide who to Forgive First? 7:36 Episode Artwork Forgiveness Series 12: Should I Forgive Immediately or Should I take some Time First? 8:50 Episode Artwork Forgiveness Series 11: Do I Forgive if the Person Continues to Hurt Me? 9:28 Episode Artwork Forgiveness Series 10: Isn’t Forgiveness just Unhealthy Repression? 6:27 Episode Artwork Forgiveness Series 9: “Why is Forgiveness Better than a Neutral Attitude toward the Wrongdoer?” 6:39 Episode Artwork Forgiveness Series 8: If I Forgive, I’m Afraid I’ll Forget OR if I Forgive, I’m Afraid I won’t Forget. . . 6:59 Episode Artwork Forgiveness Series 7: Why is “An Eye for and Eye” not the Best Way? 6:28 Episode Artwork Forgiveness Series 6: What are some of the Criticisms of the Idea of Forgiveness? 5:16 Episode Artwork Forgiveness Series 5: What is it to “Work the Forgiveness Muscle?” 9:53 Episode Artwork Forgiveness Series 4: Is Forgiveness just about Religion? 6:18 Episode Artwork Forgiveness Series 3: What are the two Paradoxes of Forgiveness? 5:52